Would you recommend this Rollei? May break the heart!!!

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,556
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
OP
OP

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,556
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
A standard description from a seller who may not know much about camera and recommend to keep it in Vitrine.
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,902
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
Tons of wear. Look at paint around wind lever panel- all gone. Focus hood is coming forward slightly more than it should. Lots of tarnish on filter bayonets. Appears to be oil or tarnish around blades of shutter. Aluminum rim on back door has dents, wear and oxidation. That camera has been USED. Which is great, nice to see that it has had a good life.

I'd pay $100, maybe a bit more with better detailed photos of the taking lens. It's mainly either working already and then worthwhile as a knapsack shooter, or it's a parts camera at best, not worth risking the overhaul to get working.

All in all I don't find that well-worn Rolleis develop the same attractive patina of, say, a black paint Leica. Maybe if Rolleis had brass instead of aluminum coming through?
 

btaylor

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
2,255
Location
Los Angeles
Format
Large Format
What Dan said. Very worn and without a detailed description on functionality from the seller— who knows, a boat anchor or great user? With any undamaged old Rollei unless there is a receipt for a recent CLA from a reputable repairer you can probably figure you are going to need about $300 for a CLA so figure that in to the purchase price.
 

JPD

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
2,156
Location
Sweden
Format
Medium Format
It doesn't look that it has been stored in a good climate either, which isn't a good sign. For the price of a CLA, or even cheaper, you could get a working Rolleiflex with Tessar in very good condition.
 
OP
OP

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,556
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
I was tempted but NO. Had those gears would have oxidized like the case then its only depressing to own it or CLA would cost 3-4 times the camera. Waiting for good one pref., with a Xenotar and without a lightmeter and a 3.5

This offer is buy it now for €155
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
We, or rather you, need to be aware that US prices are not reflected by the prices the same items sell for in Europe whether privately or online.

Looking at completed sales on Ebay.co.uk the cheapest reasonable Rolleiflex cameras are Automats around the £80-£100 mark, ($100-$130, €90-€113). £82 for one with a CZJ Tessar (uncoated), £104 with a more desirable Opton Tessar. Anything in this price range tends to have wear, there are cheaper earlier Rolleiflex cameras.

£300 (€340) is the going price for a decent Rolleiflex T, or a later Automat MXV, a 3.5E £500-£700. It's better to be able to see what you're buying with a camera unless the seller is trustworthy.

Ian
 
OP
OP

baachitraka

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
3,556
Location
Bremen, Germany.
Format
Multi Format
Yes. €800+ is what they ask for good 3.5E or 3.5F. I am tired of cheap stuff and it is expensive to make them work. I will wait for the good ones to come.
 

Dan Daniel

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
2,902
Location
upstate New York
Format
Medium Format
He does full-bore restorations so most of his cameras are certainly not cheap. But you might contact this guy to see if he can help you find what you want. He is in Germany. He might have something come in, or he might have a lead on a dealer or on cameras that aren't 'mint.'

http://magicflexcamera.com/
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
baachitraka said:
Yes. €800+ is what they ask for good 3.5E or 3.5F. I am tired of cheap stuff and it is expensive to make them work. I will wait for the good ones to come.
Click to expand...

There are good Rolleiflex cameras at reasonable prices, that's ow I bought my Automat MXV with Opton Tessar for £70 (€80) it's not mint as it was used without a case, the shutter and lens are excellent though and it works perfectly, it had been the sellers own camera he was selling off his film equipment and it's likely it had been serviced. All his other items were in excellent condition I bough a boxed Metz CT1 flash on a later visit from him.

I do see good Rolleiflex cameras at reasonable prices at the Camera Fair I go to and one seller has been a trade repairer/restorer for quite a few years so is reliable.

Ian
 

sharpnikkor

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
1,272
Location
Southern California
Format
Medium Format
Looking at the photos it looks like the body was either stored in the case and or an old camera bag that got damp. The bayonet mounts look oxidized,
the rest of the body looks like it has been exposed to damp as well. Probably has a distinct mildew smell and would need and extensive CLA. I would stay clear of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…